Your commercial refrigeration unit may unexpectedly break down which obviously is an inconvenience no one wants! Read this blog article to find out about the most common causes as well as some tips on how to fix them!
If you have or help managing a business that requires refrigeration such as a café, restaurant, grocery store or literary any other type of store with products that need refrigeration, you know that without your equipment running smoothly and efficiently, you will be in trouble!
Something as small as a leak, which can seem insignificant, can turn your whole business upside down and lead to significant disruptions in the business. From losing the quality and integrity of the products (yes, we know how these days without good refrigeration, products will perish much easier!) to causing health issues to others, and economic losses ranging from small to highly significant, no one wants to have their commercial refrigeration system to cause issues!
In this article, we'll discuss 4 common commercial refrigeration issues and some tips on how to fix them or call the experts to help!
Refrigeration system not cooling properly: A very clear indication that your fridge, freezer or cool room system is not working well is if it is not cooling properly. Now, of course you are wondering what the cause will be and how easy can it be fixed, and the truth is that: it depends! You first step should be to call a a professional commercial refrigeration repair company (like us, available 24/7 and that will be with you within 30-60 minutes!) to assess and see what the issue is because there could be several different causes behind it! From our experience, the main cause of malfunction are serious problem with the compressor, which is the part of your refrigeration unit that makes the refrigerant circulate and move around, maintaining the unit around the desired temperature. The second most common cause why your fridge, freezer or cool room is not cooling is that the evaporator fan that should help distribute cold air throughout the system, has stopped working properly. There could also be a problem with the power and cables or the thermostat itself and depending on what is wrong the repair could be done straight away (if something fixable) or might take a few days to get your unit back on track, by replacing one of these parts. In some cases, it might be even cheaper to get a completely new refrigeration system unit – get in touch to see all the options that we can have for you and which one saves you more money!
Refrigerator leaking water: If your fridge, freezer or cool room is leaking water, they the problem could be related with clogged drain or a faulty water valve. In this case, if you feel comfortable and safe to do it, you can start by safely powering off the unit, temporarily, and aim to clean the drain, removing any debris and dirt that may be causing the clog. We have to warn you that we have even found dead animals in some units, especially small rodents and some insects, that can be also causing the blockage, so make sure you use gloves and protection. We are obviously more than happy to be called and assess the whole unit, trying to diagnose the problem and checking all drains, lines as well as valves. Some other causes of a leaking unit are that the valves might be broken and obviously need to be repaired or replaced. A faulty ice maker can also be causing the leaking and we will give you all the options available to fix or replace it!
Freezer not freezing: If your freezer is not freezing, then the compressor can be the one to blame! Similarly to the first point, if the compressor is not working efficiently, then your unit won’t be maintaining the right temperature, or if you have a malfunctioning evaporator fan, a faulty thermostat, problems with the cables or a malfunctioning defrost system, then the freezer won’t be freezing properly. Because we know that sometimes it is not easy to find out straight away what is wrong with the system to the unprofessional eye, we always recommend hiring a professional refrigeration business to run the unit through multiple tests and see what is causing the issue. Sometimes there could be more than one cause! Having options for repair of replacement is what we do and we will provide estimates for both, so that you can be properly informed when deciding the best option for you.
Refrigerator door not sealing properly: One of the easiest things to diagnose and fix is a refrigerator door unit not sealing properly, because of dirt in the area, the door being poorly or misaligned or a damaged door hinge. To avoid the temperature of the fridge to fluctuate and potential food spoilage, you can try to clean the door gasket with a compatible product (be aware that some product are corrosive and can damage it more, so if you are not sure, please get in touch!). If the actual door not sealing properly or you find that you have a damaged door hinge, then we can certainly do that for you with our professional tools!
Refrigeration system making strange noises: If your cooling system is producing odd sounds, it could be caused by an issue with the compressor, evaporator fan or condenser. Literally any sound that isn’t normal, isn’t right, and it may mean that you will need to repair the part which is malfunctioning – in some the professional can actually notice that is just a loose part and can hopefully tighten it for you there, but If there is a damaged part, it may need a more extensive repair or even replacement!
Preserving your commercial refrigeration equipment is vital to your company's success. You can prevent disruptions and save money on costly repairs by being aware of common issues and knowing how to fix them. If you are starting to experience any of the issues listed above, or any other problems with your commercial refrigeration equipment, contact a reputable commercial refrigeration repair company like us right away. We provide high-quality commercial refrigeration repairs and service to keep your equipment running efficiently and with us, our experienced technicians will be able to handle a wide range of problems, from simple repairs to complex installations. Contact us today to schedule a visit and get your commercial refrigeration equipment up and running again in no time!